Agencies issue multiple devices to personnel for maintaining distinct identities over the course of assigned investigations. To provide flexible capabilities to agencies, a phone is converted for use with multiple attached telephone numbers. Accordingly, a single phone may be used to manage multiple identities over the course of one or more investigations. Using a multiple attached number, a given device can place and receive calls over the network to and from contacts. In addition to providing multiple attached numbers, calls using the multiple attached numbers may be monitored live and recorded to establish evidence.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computer based method comprising: receiving first number information in response to a request from a first telephonic device to connect to a virtual number, the virtual number associated with an operator device and the first number information including a transmitting number corresponding to the first telephonic device and the virtual number; identifying the first telephonic device as a first contact device based on a lack of a match between the transmitting number of the first telephonic device and an authorized transmitting number stored in association with the virtual number in a mapping table; in response to identifying the first telephonic device as the first contact device, transmitting instructions for connecting the first contact device with the operator device associated with the virtual number; receiving second number information in response to a request from a second telephonic device to connect to the virtual number, the second number information including a transmitting number corresponding to the second telephonic device and the virtual number; identifying the second telephonic device as the operator device based on a match between the transmitting number of the second telephone device and the authorized transmitting number stored in association with the virtual number in the mapping table; and in response to identifying the second telephonic device as the operator device, receiving a transmitting number corresponding to a second contact device and transmitting instructions for connecting the operator device with the second contact device through the virtual number.
A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting the first contact device with the operator device establishes audio communications between the first contact device and the operator device, the method further comprising transmitting instructions for recording audio transmitted between the first contact device and the operator device.
Building upon the previous description (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number), when the system connects a contact phone to the operator device, it also initiates audio recording of their conversation.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising transmitting instructions for storing the recorded audio in association with the virtual number in a database.
Expanding on the audio recording capability (Building upon the previous description, when the system connects a contact phone to the operator device, it also initiates audio recording of their conversation), the recorded audio file is then stored in a database. The audio file is associated with the specific virtual number that was used for the call, allowing for easy retrieval and organization of recordings based on the virtual number.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising transmitting a notification to a monitoring device that audio associated with the virtual number is being recorded.
Further extending the audio recording process (Building upon the previous description, when the system connects a contact phone to the operator device, it also initiates audio recording of their conversation), a notification is sent to a separate monitoring device whenever audio recording is active for a specific virtual number. This allows a supervisor or other authorized party to be aware that a call is being recorded.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising authenticating the second telephonic device as the operator device based on a comparison of key-in information received from the second telephonic device with key-in information stored in associated with the virtual number in the mapping table.
In addition to checking phone numbers (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number), the system can authenticate the operator device by requiring them to enter a specific code. This entered code is compared to a stored code associated with the virtual number. This adds an extra layer of security.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising transmitting instructions for connecting the first telephonic device to the virtual number as the operator device in response to the authentication of the received key-in information corresponding to the request from the telephonic device to connect to the virtual number.
If the operator device successfully authenticates using the key-in information (In addition to checking phone numbers, the system can authenticate the operator device by requiring them to enter a specific code. This entered code is compared to a stored code associated with the virtual number. This adds an extra layer of security), then the system will connect the first calling device to the virtual number as the operator device. Essentially, the calling device can become the operator device if it provides the correct authentication key.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a module to the operator device for interfacing with features of the operator device and performing at least one of: a step for obtaining information corresponding to the second contact device and the virtual number associated with the operator device; and a step for providing the transmitting number corresponding to the second contact device for connecting the operator device with the second contact device through the virtual number.
The operator device has access to a software module (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number). This module lets the operator find contact device information and provide the contact's number to the system to make the connection.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: provisioning the virtual number based on number information received for the virtual number; receiving mapping information for the virtual number, the mapping information including the authorized transmitting number, where the authorized transmitting number is a transmitting number of the operator device; and storing the virtual number in the mapping table and storing the transmitting number of the operator device as the authorized transmitting number in association with the virtual number in the mapping table.
The system provisions virtual numbers (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number). It stores the operator's phone number as the authorized number for the virtual number in a mapping table. This table links virtual numbers to their authorized operator device.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting the first contact device with the operator device associated with the virtual number comprises providing the operator device with at least one of number information specified for the virtual number and the transmitting number of the first contact device.
When connecting a contact device to the operator device (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number), the operator device is provided with either the virtual number itself, or the transmitting number of the contact device, or both. This information enables the operator to identify the contact and manage the call.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting the operator device with the second contact device through the virtual number comprises requesting a connection with the second contact device through the virtual number, the connection request comprising number information specified for the virtual number such that the connection request appears to originate from a third telephonic device different from the operator device.
When connecting the operator to a second contact device (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number), the connection request makes it appear as though the call is originating from a number different from the operator device. This allows for masking the operator's actual number.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second telephonic device is a mobile phone.
In the described virtual number call management system (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number), the operator device can be a mobile phone.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second telephonic device is a land-line phone.
In the described virtual number call management system (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number), the operator device can be a land-line phone.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving third number information in response to a connection request from a third telephonic device to a second virtual number associated with the first virtual number in the mapping table, the third number information including a transmitting number corresponding to the third telephonic device and the second virtual number; identifying the third telephonic device as a monitoring device permitted to monitor communications associated with the operator device based on a match of the transmitting number corresponding to the third telephonic device with an authorized monitoring number stored in association with the second virtual number in the mapping table and the association of the first virtual number with the second virtual number in the mapping table; and transmitting instructions for permitting the monitoring device to receive audio communications between the operator device and one of the first or second contact devices.
The system supports call monitoring. (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number.) A third phone can call a second virtual number associated with the first virtual number. If the third phone's number is authorized for monitoring, the system allows it to listen to calls between the operator and contacts.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the instructions permitting the monitoring device to receive the audio communications between the operator device and the one of the first or second contact devices include instructions for connecting the monitoring device with the second virtual number and passing audio associated with a connection established through the first virtual number to the second virtual number.
Expanding upon the call monitoring functionality (The system supports call monitoring. A third phone can call a second virtual number associated with the first virtual number. If the third phone's number is authorized for monitoring, the system allows it to listen to calls between the operator and contacts), the system connects the monitoring device to the second virtual number and passes the audio from the first virtual number connection (operator and contact) to the second virtual number connection (monitoring device). This enables the monitoring device to hear the communication.
15. A system for attaching multiple numbers to an operator device, the system comprising: a server comprising one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program code, the computer program code when executed by a processor performing steps comprising: receiving first number information in response to a request from a first telephonic device to communicate with a virtual number, the virtual number associated with an operator device and the first number information including a transmitting number corresponding to the first telephonic device and the virtual number; identifying the first telephonic device as a first contact device based on a lack of a match between the transmitting number of the first telephonic device and an authorized transmitting number stored in association with the virtual number in a mapping table; in response to identifying the first telephonic device as the first contact device, transmitting instructions for connecting the first contact device with the operator device associated with the virtual number or transmitting data received from the first contact device to the operator device from the virtual number; receiving second number information in response to a request from a second telephonic device to communicate with the virtual number, the second number information including a transmitting number corresponding to the second telephonic device and the virtual number; identifying the second telephonic device as the operator device based on a match between the transmitting number of the second telephone device and the authorized transmitting number stored in association with the virtual number in the mapping table; and in response to identifying the second telephonic device as the operator device, receiving a transmitting number corresponding to a second contact device and transmitting instructions for at least one of connecting the operator device with the second contact device through the virtual number or transmitting data received from the operator device to the second contact device from the virtual number.
A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the server further comprises program code for: provisioning the virtual number based on number information received for the virtual number; receiving mapping information for the virtual number, the mapping information including the authorized transmitting number, where the authorized transmitting number is a transmitting number of the operator device; and storing the virtual number in the mapping table and storing the transmitting number of the operator device as the authorized transmitting number in association with the virtual number in the mapping table.
The server in the phone number management system (A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number.) also provisions the virtual number. It receives and stores the operator's authorized phone number in a mapping table along with the virtual number.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the mapping information received for the virtual number includes a key-in for authenticating operator devices requesting to connect to the virtual number, the server further comprising program code for authenticating the second telephonic device as the operator device responsive to key-in information received from the second telephonic device.
The server in the virtual number system (The server in the phone number management system also provisions the virtual number. It receives and stores the operator's authorized phone number in a mapping table along with the virtual number) can also authenticate operator devices using a key-in code. The operator is prompted to enter a code which is then compared against a stored key associated with the specific virtual number.
18. The system of claim 15 , further comprising: a second server comprising one or more processors and a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program code, the computer program code when executed performing steps comprising: identifying a connection request from a given telephonic device to the virtual number; receiving instructions for dialing out to a target telephonic device; establishing a connection through the virtual number between the given telephonic device and the target telephonic device; and recording audio communications between the given telephonic device and the target telephonic device.
The system includes two servers. One (A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number.) handles virtual number connections. The second server records audio. It identifies connection requests, dials out to target phones, establishes the connection through the virtual number, and records the audio communication.
19. The system of claim 15 , wherein connecting the first contact device with the operator device associated with the virtual number comprises providing the operator device with at least one of number information specified for the virtual number and the transmitting number of the first contact device.
When connecting a contact to the operator (A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number), the operator receives either the virtual number itself or the contact's phone number.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein connecting the operator device with the second contact device through the virtual number comprises requesting a connection with the second contact device through the virtual number, the connection request comprising number information specified for the virtual number such that the connection request appears to originate from a third telephonic device different from the operator device.
When connecting the operator to a second contact (A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number), the system makes the connection request appear to originate from a different phone number than the operator's. This masks the operator's actual number.
21. The system of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the data received at the virtual number from the first contact device or the data transmitted to the second contact device from the virtual number is a message on a short message service (SMS), multimedia message service (MMS) or proprietary service.
The data transmitted through the virtual number system (A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number) includes messages like SMS, MMS, or those sent via a proprietary service.
22. The system of claim 15 , further comprising transmitting instructions for recording audio transmitted between the first contact device and the operator device.
The system described (A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number) records audio transmitted between the first contact device and the operator device.
23. The system of claim 22 , further comprising transmitting instructions for storing the recorded audio in association with the virtual number in a database.
The audio recording feature described (The system described records audio transmitted between the first contact device and the operator device) further includes storing the audio recording in a database, associating it with the specific virtual number used for the call.
24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first contact device and the second contact device are a same telephonic device, the transmitting number of the first telephonic device matching the transmitting number received for the second contact device.
In the phone call management system (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number), the first and second contact device can be the same physical device. This means the same device calls in as a contact and is then used by the operator to call out.
25. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting the operator device with the second contact device establishes audio communications between the second contact device and the operator device, the method further comprising transmitting instructions for recording audio transmitted between the second contact device and the operator device.
The system records audio communications between the operator device and the second contact device (A computer-based method manages phone calls using virtual numbers. When a first phone calls a virtual number, the system checks if the phone's number is authorized for that virtual number. If not (meaning it's a contact), the system connects that contact phone to an operator device associated with the virtual number. If a second phone calls the same virtual number and its number *is* authorized (meaning it's the operator), the system receives a second contact phone number from the operator and connects the operator to that second contact phone through the virtual number).
26. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first contact device and the second contact device are a same telephonic device, the transmitting number of the first telephonic device matching the transmitting number received for the second contact device.
In the server system (A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number), the first and second contact device can be the same physical device.
27. The system of claim 15 , wherein connecting the operator device with the second contact device establishes audio communications between the second contact device and the operator device, the system further comprising transmitting instructions for recording audio transmitted between the second contact device and the operator device.
The system (A system manages multiple phone numbers for an operator device using a server. When a contact phone calls a virtual number, the server verifies the phone number against an authorized list. If unauthorized, it connects the contact phone to the operator device linked to the virtual number. When the operator's phone calls the same virtual number, the server recognizes the operator and then, upon receiving a second contact phone number, connects the operator to that second contact phone using the virtual number. Data like SMS/MMS can also be sent to/from the virtual number) also records audio communications between the second contact and the operator device.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 29, 2012
August 15, 2017
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